Arc 4: What families entail
It was the morning of the thirty first, New Years eve. There was snow falling all over Walgonia while they celebrated. Celebrating alongside Ravoria and Valatrocitus, the day they overcame the darkness that once consumed the land and became the powerful countries they were today. Atop the largest and longest mountain range in the continent celebrates the Leviathan army, walking through the streets with a small festival. Watching from the kitchen window was Rosemary, Edward, Soku and Julius. All wrapped in bandages and hardly able to move from the harsh training. Even now Soku shivered while holding her body, thinking of Gordon screaming while shooting blunt arrows toward her. Running and using her wind to barely maneuver out of the way. Gray stands in the backyard practicing with his sword swings whilst flowing mana through it. The snow fell on his shirtless body, feeling colder because of the freezing wind hitting the sweat falling off of his body.
Gray {AND TWO HUNDRED!}
Red, covered in sweat, and falling into the snow on his back was Gray Kyojin. Smiling at his own hard work, but still unable to flow the Cloak of Darkness out of its charm. Rosemary watches from the kitchen window, brewing tea.
Soku: "Perv."
Rosemary leapt with fear, barely holding in a shot.
Rosemary: "Has Julius been teaching you his ways?"
Julius: "How rude."
Soku: "EEK"
This time Soku would leap in fear, causing both Julius and Rosemary to laugh at her annoyance.
Julius: "Your score goes up to thirteen."
Rosemary: "I don't understand how you guys don't notice him, he was drinking tea I made him."
Julius: "And I give you a thousand thanks for that, it is delicious."
The kitchen screen door came swinging open, letting in a smell of sweat and musk along with a breeze of freezing cold air.
Soku: "Gross! Go take a shower."
Gray: "Oh nice you made tea!"
Rosemary: "Oh here you go, oh be careful -
Gray gulps down the tea, setting the cup down and wiping his lip.
Gray: "_______________________"
Gray would simply fall to his knees, tearing up from the heat.
Gray: "It is….hot."
Edward walks through the front door, seeing the confusion and goofiness that is Gray Kyojin. Or what is also known in whatever world you're in as being "stupid".
Edward: "Are you okay?"
Gray: "No!"
However he stood, grabbing his shirt laying on a kitchen chair and moved upstairs to shower. Rosemary would follow, noticing that he forgot to grab any extra clothes or towels, leaving the others to chat while staring out the window. Many people were wearing Spirit Beast masks, carrying food and hot drinks, and smiling. The sight of young children causes Sokus' heart to burn for Ophelia.
Julius: "Greenvale is quite the place. Compared to the Capital of Valatroctius and Walgonia, it is, "quant."
Edward: "I've always preferred areas like this compared to the city. But I'm a little too privileged to speak out on it."
Soku: "Ehh, the city is more lively. More stuff to do and focus on, especially when you're running around it. There's no space here!"
Soku would look toward the sack on Edwards' back, intriguing her. As he may have gotten her something.
Soku: "Are those gifts?"
Edward: "Yeah they are! I just picked them up, and Gray told me to get colored paper for some reason. I got you one as well Julius."
While Edward smiled Julius would instead stare forward in a daze, almost like he was stunned for a moment. Instantly regaining his composure right after.
Julius: "Thank you. For that, and for saving my life. I can never repay you for that.
Edward: "Well we didn't help you out to get anything, we just didn't want to leave anyone behind."
The moment he said it they all thought of Ophelia, causing Soku's face to drop. First with sorrow, and then with rage, covering her face with annoyance and storming off. Proceeding too quickly to walk upstairs to her room.
Edward: "Uh oh."
Julius would place his hand on Edwards shoulder the moment he shuttered, speaking softly and gently near his ear.
Julius: "Do not worry, it is better to shift the anger toward me. She is in the right to be angry at me after all. I took her sisters' place in life, and; she has no knowledge of who I am, a mix of selflessness and selfishness. You all are truly interesting. Either it is what drives you all or your personalities, they all seem fake though real at the same time. Rosemary might be the loudest out of all of you while remaining the quietest, Soku has a bit of an attitude and likes to make fun of people yet she seems the most emotional about her self-worth. Then there is Gray, a loud man lying to himself about who he is yet he does not even know it, truly comedic."
Edward: "You're good at reading people, you did something similar at the mansion when we first met you."
Julius: "I am an observer. Quiet and learning, it is just what I like to do. You Edward, you are my favorite."
Edward: "Waa?"
Julius stands up, putting his finger over Edward's lips.
Julius: "You do not even like fighting yet you were born into a family known for it. Known for being a monster and yet you hate it. You go against your bloodline yet it flows through your veins, rushing and it boils over when you battle. The warrior's spirit is strong in you, yet you make it harder for yourself. A snake eating its tail. A walking character study I struggle to understand. Now please continue to grow as a person, will l go buy some groceries for dinner. I will be the one cooking by the way."
Julius leaves the cottage, walking into the cold snow with his eyes still closed and a smirk on his face.
Edward: "What the heck?"
As the hours passed the sun rose and fell, the village of Greenvale, along with the sister village nearby, were lit up and filled with even more life. , then after over a month of waiting New Year's eve is finally among the world. Magical crystal lights strung around to color the streets, hanging over the snowmen and playing families. Loud sounds of cheer flowing through the streets, with Gordon watching over it all from the upper balcony of his home atop the hill. Then in the cozy cottage near the outskirts of the village, a makeshift family celebrates the new year. All wearing the Santa hats made by Gray.
Gray: "While Julius finishes getting the plates ready we can decide on the order of presents. We'll just let whoever's going open all of their presents at once. Alright Oldest to youngest GO!."
Rosemary: "Wait shouldn't we wait for Julius."
While Rosemary pushed Gray from standing and leaping all over the place Julius walked in with plates of greens, potatoes, and perfectly cooked steak. In the corner of their living room, near the fireplace, was their small christmas tree. Chopped down and decorated with old and dull magical crystals by Gray.
Soku: "That thing is nasty, why is it in the house?"
Gray: "Because it's the whole Christmas special experience!"
And right after taking a large bite of the stake with his fork, he spoke with a mouth full of food.
Gray: "AND WITH THAT! Julius you're first!"
Julius instantly paused, genuinely surprised they got him anything. Even with the knowledge that Edward said he had.
Rosemary: "We all asked Gordon, and we figured our gift would be -
Gray: "Letting you join us! Kinda! More like a full level of trust!"
Edward: "Here."
Edward handed Julius a small light blue box, opening it to find a ring within. The Walgonian crest on the front.
Julius: "...Thank you."
Gray: "NOW FOR EDWARD!"
Edward instantly got embarrassed and sat down, trying to eat and cover his nervousness while the others brought him their gift. A box wrapped in blue wrapping paper, and the word Helsing written all over it by Gray in his struggling attempt to match the world's language. When he opens his gift he shakes, unable to believe he's really sitting here doing this. With friends, with people after he lost everything. Causing him to stand, taking everyone's attention.
Edward: "With Kioshi and Musashi dead…I am the Last Van Helsing. And I'm going to live up to that name. Our path is probably going to get us killed, or me killed in the long run. And if you want to stop, and live here with me. That would be fine."
But without skipping a beat they all rejected it, shaking their heads in defiance while Gray screamed out.
Gray: "Hell no! After all we've been through we're all in it for the long run! And never forget that!"
She gave him a thumbs up and a smile, giving him the courage to pull out his gift. Revealing a book about the history of The Helsing family.
Edward: "Oh nice!"
Gray: "It's the most recent copy from the Leviathan Army's Library, so it even has stuff about you in there!"
Soku: "Yeah we didn't really know what to get you sorry."
Edward: "It's great, I never imaged I'g get something let alone something with care. Thank you, so much."
Edward stepped forward, but Julius stopped him. Handing him a gold coin. He then handed the others one as well, never stopping his constant smile.
Julius: "For Edward and you all."
Soku instantly snatched Grays, smirking.
Soku: "This is for your interest!"
Gray: "Whatever, I just got it so I never really had it."
Soku: "Whatever makes you sleep better, broke boy."
Edward then leaned down, picking up the next box.
Edward: "Next is Rosemary."
Rosemary: "Oh it's pretty!"
Rosemary opens her golden wrapped gift, attempting to do it as neatly as possible.
Gray: "You can just rip it off!"
Rosemary: "But you spent so long wrapping it! And you bought it, why destroy it?"
Soku: "I'll do it if you don't wanna."
Rosemary took a deep breath, activating her stages to rip the box open. Pulling out a hand crocheted sweater. Baby blue, the same color as her eyes. With a golden Walgonian crest on the chest.
Gray: "This one is just from me! It took me the longest but I did it! Thank my mom for teaching me though."
Like Edward her heart trembled, holding it closely to her to cover her red face. Her wavering eyes. Those same eyes tear up, using the sweater to cover her tears.
Gray: "WOOOH, not the reaction I was expecting! Are you okay?"
Rosemary: "It's just, I spent a long time on my own, and when I met Soku and Ophelia, I thought I had gotten my family."
Soku and Rosemary both shook for a moment, the sound and memory of Ophelia surging through them all like a sharp pain.
Rosemary: "We all miss her, Al, Kioshi, Musashi. And I -
Soku: "Why are you speaking about this right now!?"
Soku's surprising rage stopped them all, but Rosemary stood. Staring down at Soku with a level of focus that caused Soku to instantly stop talking.
Rosemary: "We made it. We're here. We have to be happy about that right?"
And while it took her a moment. It took her a look from everyone, from the sight of life out the window. But still, she nodded.
Soku: "Yeah."
Reaching down for the next box right after.
Soku: "Gray's turn."
Gray grabs his gift like a child on Christmas morning. A simple unwrapped box from Rosmeary. He opens it revealing a light orange scarf, instantly pulling it on over his jacket.
Gray: "Nice! Did you make this!?"
Gray smiled toward Rosemary, causing her heart to flutter with joy. Nodding her red face while handing him his next gift.
Edward: "That one is from me!"
Another box that Gray tore open, revealing what looked to be just a black short sleeved shirt.
Gray: "Cool, a shirt?"
Edward: "Flip it around! It's not just any shirt!"
The shirt itself had a tall collar with white ends, short sleeves with white ends, and a bottom with white ends. Along with the slim white line going up the front, and a white Walgonian crest over the heart. Resembling the shirt version of Musashi's formal attire. Under it in the box was long, breathable but durable, black pants with a white belt.
Gray: "It's a Walgonia brand shirt?"
Edward: "It's the formal gear worn under a Levaithan Knights armor!"
Gray instantly lit up with joy, charging off into the other room to get dressed. As he did, Soku tossed him the gold coin she had stolen from him just a second ago.
Soku: "There's my gift!"
Gray: "Thank you, it's your turn by the way!"
Gray kisses Rosemary while Soku reaches for her gift, beginning to open it while Gray gets dressed as quickly as possible. Tearing off the green wrapping paper with her wind magic, she looks to find a small box.
Soku: "Pretty small."
Gray would stumble into the room, placing his sneakers back on while jumping into the living room.
Gray: "Just open it please!"
Soku: "Please? Who are you and what did you do with Gray Kyojin?"
Rosemary: "Soku come on! Gray told us that he had the gift covered so I wanna make sure he was right."
Soku sighs and opens the box, gasping and dropping it right after. Everyone else stood up to surprise, looking toward Gray like he had done something back. While he attempted to speak for himself she would drop to her knees, her hands filled with tears. Her present fell out onto the floor.
Soku: "....How did you get this!?"
It was one of Ophelia's red pendants, now in Sokus shaking hands.
Gray: "When I got knocked out in my fight with Edward he stopped to see me and put that in one of my inner jacket pockets. I didn't know it was there until I checked a week or two after we got here. Figured you;d want -
Soku lunges forward and hugs Gray, squeezing him tight and wiping her tears with his newly put-on shirt. Open and ready to be used as a rag since he forgot to zip up, jacket. He wouldn't care, instead Gray gets down on one knee, putting the hair clip in Sokus's hair. Holding back her newly burned short hair to reveal her elf ear.
Gray: "See! Perfect!
Rosemary and the others couldn't believe the sight, like the massive weights against them were softening for just a moment. However it was interrupted by blasts, causing them all to erupt in a panic.
Gray: "SHIT!?"
They all hear pops outside, rushing toward the window to sigh with relief. Instead running out the door, looking up toward the sky with the rest of the village. Rosemary: "WOOOAH."
Gray: "Isekai fireworks!"
Massive magic fireworks spread throughout Walgonia and the other countries, low power but wide spread intricate webs of colorful light. Some eruptions of shapes, others forming things like blades, crests, and dragons.
Soku: "They are cool but not if you've seen them every year.
Edward: "I hope this year is better than the last!
Gray: "What year is it?"
Julius: "Fourteen ninety-seven, or Fourteen ninety-eight now."
Gray: "Almost a new centennial."
Soku: "You know big words?"
Gray: "You know you got snot on your face from crying earlier?"
Soku blasts wind in Gray's face while the eruptions continue, the others laughing. The snow would fall and fall, the people would eat and sing, dance and play, the night falling and falling. But eventually they would get more and more tired, the sun would begin to rise, and the New Year would be upon them. However they couldn't sleep, not one bit. Instead packing for their trip.
Rosemary: "You're packing Jeremiah's mask? Why not take a normal helmet or something?"
It was the shape white mask the Sect wore, the black eyes and all. Other than the three lines near the mouth made by Grays throwing knives.
Gray: "It covers my face when I'm all scared, and it looks cool!"
With their bags ready they quaked with Sokus voice exploding out.
Soku: "GET OUT HERE GORDONS WAITING!"
Gray: "COMING!"
Gordon stood outside of the house with an annoyed look on his face, allowing the snow to pile over him. There was a carriage behind him, along with Dema by his side. Rubbing her rough head against his back.
Gordon: "Finally!"
Edward: "Are you coming with us?"
Edward, Rosemary, Soku, Gray, and Julius all stepped forward. Their bags in hand, within their casual attire. Standing under the barley risen sun.
Gordon: "I need to finish getting everyone ready here. Arthur has been running a muck in Walgonia. The bastard has fired, closed off, and cut off the entire country from itself. Take this note clarifying your identity, then find the Red Arrows. And if you can, Lincoln."
Julius, Rosemary, and Soku would step toward the carriage and place their things within while Edward erupted with joy.
Edward: "Lincoln!? Like Lincoln Valantine! The strongest man in the world! That's, wait! Nobody knows where he is! He hasn't been seen since the previous king of Athens was assassinated. I can't find a man that has been missing for four years!"
Gray: "Lincoln?"
Gray looks to Julius as he stretches, preparing to listen to what he's about to say.
Julius: "Lincoln Valentine was Athens Head Commander, master of his body. The Physically strongest man in the world. But four years ago, a member of the Sect infiltrated and murdered King Froid. And Lincoln disappeared along with him. Ever since, Lincoln's son Bearguard has led the country, while his younger son Leo has led the Red Arrows against him.
Soku: "Rumor on the street is that the Gravestone pirates may be there."
In an instant Edwards' face went blank. With rage, with fear, with utter and complete panic. His mind overflowed with memories of his village. Moro Gravestone. And the horrific deaths of his parents. The name, that damned name piercing his ears. But it went unnoticed, almost. As Julius instantly took note of it.
Rosemary: "How exactly are we going to try and end the war?"
Gordon: "All you need to do is assist the Red Arrows, the hard part will be getting into contact with them."
Gray: "So that's it then."
Gray stood with his bag and Dema, looking toward Rosemary with a somber glare.
Gray: "I'm gonna -
She grabbed tight, holding and kissing him.
Rosemary: "Stay safe! And be nice! Don't die! Wash yourself, brush your teeth, don't get -
Gray: "Yeah! And same for you! I love you!"
She would turn red, but still would blurt it out all the same.
Rosemary: "I love you too!"
With a final kiss they would break off and place their things in their respective places.
Gordon: "Edward, you're in charge. Then Rosemary. Alright?"
Edward: "Understood sir. And you're sir we don't need any other Leviathan Knights?"
Gordon: "To be honest, you're the strongest members here. Other than Ryo and I. I have faith in all of you."
Edward: "Alright then."
While Edward looked toward the others, Julius stepped into the carriage while Soku attempted to pull Rosemary and Gray away from each other.
Rosemary: "Please be safe!"
Gray: "You too!"
Gray hugs Rosemary tightly, both sad to separate. But still Soku tugs, getting Rosemary into the carriage. The door closed while Edward got into the carriage, noticing Julius sliding onto the front of the carriage to drive it.
Gordon: "Good luck to you all!"
Gray: "Yeah good luck!"
With that, they part ways on the path. Splitting to Athens and Ryo. Leaving the Village of Greenvale for the time being to officially start the mission to save Walgonia. Gray rubs Dema and hops on, grabbing hold of her saddle and preparing for a terrifying flight.
Gray: "Alright Dema, um. Actually I don't know how to drive her!"
Gordon: "Dammit all, GO ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN TO RYO!"
In an instant Dema's wings would flap and lift them into the sky, the last thing heard being Demas blasting speed and Gray's screams of fear.
Gray {Ryo Hollis, the World's Greatest Spirit Knight! I will be your student! I will be a Spirit Knight and help save Walgonia from those psychopaths! I'll defeat Arthur, and get the happy ending they deserve!}